My little geeks are out of school and enjoying their new-found summer freedom. Like most adults (other than the smart ones who went into education), I don’t have a summer break. My oldest son takes great delight in reminding me how long he gets to sleep in and not do anything all day if he wants to. Of course, I give him jobs to do. Pick up dog poop, pick up your toys, do yard work, etc. Take that, kiddo! Continue reading
The magical realms are at peace. Travelers and merchants cross the boarders freely and all share in the bounty. When scattered reports and rumors began to circulate of invaders, many couldn’t believe it. After all, the realms have never known war. When the first invading forces torched a small village, the magistrates of each realm called for heroes to fight for and defend their homes. The heroes heard the call and now march to war for the first time in the history of the realms. The future is very uncertain… Continue reading
What every warmongering faction leader nowadays wants is some sort of stronghold. Of course, the demand for such things far outweighs the current supply. This means that you and your fellow warmongers will have to compete to claim your ideal highly secured and heavily fortified piece of real estate. To assist you are all your underlings and a strange supply of special equipment. Lead your troops well and you’ll be the envy of your peers…if any survive, that is. Continue reading
The simple hand game Rock Paper Scissors has long dominated playgrounds, playing fields, and basketball courts. It’s a fast way to quickly determine a winner if a mutually agreed upon approach cannot be determined. For example, who gets the last piece of pie, who gets to kickoff, and who will pick up the bill. It’s also a game that requires its players to think ahead, read their opponent, and predict what they should do next based on what they know or think they know. In this game, the same applies, but the approach is very different. Continue reading
The definition of acuity is “sharpness or keenness of thought, vision, or hearing.” The game is aptly titled as you need sharp eyes to spot patterns, a quick mind, and a keen ear. This is not a game that is played seated down, but you will most likely want to sit down and rest after playing it. Continue reading
Aidan Gillen, an actor currently best known for his role as Petyr Baelish in the HBO Game of Thrones series, said “I don’t do a lot of reflecting. I’m usually about getting on with it.” Some of us stop and reflect on our choices and what it means, while others clearly do not. Regardless of your personal approach to life, this game is all about reflecting. Expect hindsight to smack you in the face a few times. Continue reading
Magic is dangerous in the hands of any who take it to extremes. The Druid and the Necromancer are two such students who have taken their magical devotion to zealot like levels. The Druid knows that only life must continue at any cost. The Necromancer knows only that death is the inevitable end that he attempts to hasten for all existence. Two opposing mages with two opposing powers that are destined to meet and destroy each other. Continue reading
Michio Kaku said, “The human brain has 100 billion neurons, each neuron connected to 10 thousand other neurons. Sitting on your shoulders is the most complicated object in the known universe.” I think a close second is the United States federal tax code. Seriously, it’s a mess. However, if given enough time and study, even the most complex can become simplistic. Ironically, the most simplistic can become exceedingly complex if no time is allowed for the human brain to think it through. In this game, you’ll be asked to do something very simple very quickly. Expect a challenge. Continue reading
You are the owner and trainer of gladiators. You have fought in the arena yourself, killed and survived. You were awarded your freedom and your future. Now you spend your days training the next generation of gladiators to fight ruthlessly and die bravely. The sun has risen and the arena is filling with spectators eager to watch life and death play out before them. Today men will die and legends will be born. Continue reading
Milton Berle said, “If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?” And why do I have no hair on my head, for that matter? Regardless of your personal opinion on evolution, which some see as a theory and some as a scientific fact, two thing are for certain. Change happens and we must change to adapt. We adapt to overcome and to move forward. In this game, you will transform one fish into another, but be fast! Take too long and you’ll find that change oftentimes rolls over those who cannot adapt quickly. Continue reading
Albert Einstein said, “Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.” Math is hard, and don’t try telling me it isn’t. It’s also wonderful. Thanks to math and mathematicians, we are able to explore our world, our galaxy, and define things we cannot even see. And it all starts with “1 + 1”. In this Puzzle game, logical thinking and simple math is all that’s required, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy challenge. Continue reading
Another month has slipped by like a ninja in the night…or a ship…or a ship full of ninjas. It’s May and that means Spring in Southern Minnesota is “kind of” here. Last year, we had one bugger of a snowstorm in May that took down trees and had many people questioning their decision to live in the upper Midwest. Throwing caution to the wind, as it were, everyone in Minnesota is now wearing shorts. Temperature be damned… Continue reading
